Following the release of the official trailer of Call Me Mother, lead stars Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre opened up about the possibility of winning awards for their comedy-drama film and their continued presence in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
During a media junket with select members of the press, Vice reflected on his long-standing connection with Filipino audiences who have made his MMFF films a part of their annual Christmas tradition.
“Ipinagpapasalamat ko talaga iyon na medyo matagal na rin akong isinama ng mga Pilipino sa pagcelebrate ng Pasko nila. Kapag pasko, kapiling nila ako na kasama sa mga ilang activities nila na kayang gawin kapag Pasko na pupunta sila sa sinehan kasama yung pamilya nila tapos panonoorin ang pelikula ko,” Vice told PUSH ABS-CBN.
“Kaya nga kinukwento nila sa akin na noong nagreresearch sila na kapag tinitingnan nila yung activity ng mga tao sa sinehan, na kapag pumpumupunta sila sa takilyera, kahit hindi nila alam yung title ng pelikula basta pipila sila doon at sasabihin ang pelikula ni Vice so sobrang grateful ako na ginawa talaga ng mga Pilipino na akong bahagi sa pagcelebrate ng Christmas nila,” he added.
While grateful for the attention on possible awards, Nadine said their priority is how viewers will connect with the movie's message.
“Ako naman, it’s always the last thing for me to parang want to achieve kasi ako talaga mas excited ako na makita ng mga tao yung pelikula kasi napakaganda po ng story ng Call Me Mother so bonus na lang if masungkit namin yung mga awards,” Nadine told in an interview with some member of the press.
Vice, however, believes Nadine could easily earn another accolade for her performance, saying: “Hindi ako magtataka kung magkakaroon ng another Best Actress award si Nadine parang ang dali na lang sa kaniya masungkit ang mga ganoon.”
Still, he also emphasized that audience appreciation matters the most.
“Ang mahalaga sa amin ay magustuhan ito ng mga manoond kasi yung mga manonood marami iyan,” he stated. “Iba pa rin kapag humuhusga sa iyo at nakaka-appreciate ng work mo ay yung napakaraming mga madlang people na nakapanood at nagustuhan nila at sinasabi nila na it was worth their money.”
Speaking of their film’s storyline, Vice and Nadine also highlighted the film’s deeper message about the meaning of motherhood.
“When this movie has explained to me na motherhood is beyond gender. It’s beyond bearing a child, giving birth to a child. Mas malawak at mas malalim pa yung ibig sabihin ng pagiging nanay talaga,” Vice said.
Nadine echoed the sentiment, adding that motherhood is a journey no one is ever fully prepared for.
“And wala talagang babae na magiging ready for motherhood. Marami kasi akong friends na ganoon na una sinasabi nila na they want to be a mom tapos kapag nandyan na sinasabi nila ‘ganito pala iyon!’ and that’s okay. The thing kasi na ‘yung mga ganoong klaseng situation na dumadaan sa buhay natin, doon tayo nago-grow, doon tayo natututo,” Nadine explained.
Portraying the role of being “mothers,” both stars honored every mother who chose to take the responsibility of being one.
“Laking pasasalamat at saludo namin sa mga piniling maging nanay sa buong mundo kasi ibang klaseng tatag at responsibilidad at ibang klaseng pagmamahal mayroon sila sa puso nila para tanggapin ang obligasyon na iyon,” Vice said.
Though primarily known for comedy, Vice assured fans that Call Me Mother balances humor with emotional depth.
“This is half comedy and half drama. Patatawanin muna namin kayo tapos tusukan na ng puso after. Marami kaming ginawa ng mabibigat na scenes doon,” Vice said.
He added that the film continues the dramatic shift he began with And the Breadwinner Is….
“Magmula noong ginawa ko iyong And the Breadwinner Is…, nagiba na yung tema and atake ng pelikula ko. Tinutuloy lang ni Direk Jun Lana kung ano yung nasimulan namin kasi sabi niya hindi pwedeng one-time bigtime lang yung ganoong atake sa pelikula so itinuloy niya. Ganoon pa rin na magpapatawa at mangungurot pa rin ng mga puso pero mayroon kaming magandang ipinapaliwang sa mga tao and may mapupulot sila na magandang realization sa pelikula na ito,” he remarked.
Call Me Mother, co-produced by Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Films, is one of the official entries to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film is slated for an exclusive theatrical release on Christmas Day, December 25.
The film also stars Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Klarisse De Guzman, Shuvee Etrata, River Joseph, Esnyr Ranollo, MC Muah, Iyah Mina, Divine Tetay, John Lapus, Carmi Martin, Chanda Romero, Ces Quesada, Lucas Andalio, and more.